Once you've looked over your options and checked your emotions for financing your education needs, take a step back.

What's possible ? what's reasonable and where do you go for help with financial aid ?

How Do You Find School Loans?

Because of the high demand, school loan services are available from many different lenders. You can often begin with your selected college or university for recommendations.

Be careful here though - there was some recent criticism about schools taking "lender kick backs" and legislative enforcement is pending.

Your personal bank, credit union, or Sallie Mae are additional options. It's also not uncommon for parents and grandparents to utilize home equity to help finance education loans.

You can also search via the internet for various options on education loans. This can be a little trickier but once you've narrowed your choices, a personal interview and face-to-face negotiations are your best bet.

Thinking Ahead about Paying Back

Saving for college is always a better choice than having to borrow. However, we all know that reality speaks loudly and often. Sometimes life's circumstances simply prevent us from always doing what's best.

Some education loans offer loan deferrments, renegotiation plans and loan consolidation options that should always be reviewed when it's time to start your monthly payback plan.

It's often best to begin these discussions with your current lender. They have all the paperwork and can assess what options are available most easily.

School loans are a major financial decision and loan forgiveness is rare. Review all your options, think about the possibilities, decide on your best course of action, then give it your best shot. Remember, it's best to begin looking for student loan resources well before your high school graduation theme celebrations.